The Magic Raincoat - Hardcover

Ryan David was born in Montclair, New Jersey. He attended Brown University and studied cultural anthropology. He currently lives in New York City, where he is preparing to begin his residency training in emergency medicine. This is his first children's book. 

Sibylla Benatova graduated from the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria, and went on to earn a master of arts degree in puppet theater stage design. Several exhibitions in Bulgaria and in the United States have carried her paper art, and many theaters have featured her costume and stage designs. Ms. Benatova lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

PreSchool-Grade 3—Emily does not attempt to hide her displeasure when given a new orange raincoat instead of the yellow one she really wanted. However, her disappointment evaporates when she discovers that the garment bestows magical powers upon its wearer. Although she initially delights in her newfound abilities, she soon learns a lesson about being careful with her wishes. Then she finds out that her mother has exchanged the orange raincoat for an ordinary yellow one owned by a neighbor's daughter. Emily immediately goes to Mei's house, explains that the coat is magic, and promptly reclaims it. Although children will revel in the story's magical elements, even the most gullible of youngsters may find it difficult to understand why Mei is willing to return the conjuring raincoat. The highlight here is the exquisitely detailed collage artwork made from decorative paper. While the other characters are drawn with pen-and-ink lines, Emily's figure is more fleshed out-she has purple-blue hair and wears green overalls and a striped shirt and socks. Full of color and whimsy, the varied textures create an illusion of dimensionality that sparks the imagination. Despite its shortcoming, this picture-book fantasy is great fun and introduces a plucky heroine full of mischievous charm.—Debbie Lewis O'Donnell, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.